One adoptee was only twelve months when she was taken in by a US family during 1966.
Hailing from South Korea, her birth father was a member of the US armed forces, who went back soon after Shirley was born.
"He left us behind, is the kindest phrasing I can put it," says Shirley, currently in her sixties.
Approximately one year later, Shirley was welcomed into the home of a American pair, who took her back to Texas.
Growing Up American
She was raised experiencing a lifestyle comparable with that of many young Americans.
"I lived and breathed and found mischief like many teenage Americans of the 80s. I belong of the 80s," Shirley says.
Shirley had children, got married and worked as a music instructor.
Life carried on for many years with no reason to doubt her American identity.
However in 2012, her world came crashing down.
Citizenship Crisis
She misplaced her government identification and needed a replacement.
However when she visited her government agency, Shirley was told she had to demonstrate her legal standing in the country.
"I experienced a little mental breakdown upon discovering I wasn't a citizen," she explains.
A Common Issue
Shirley is not alone. Estimates of how many US adopted individuals lack citizenship range from thousands to tens of thousands.
Numerous adopted individuals have been removed to their nations of origin in the past decade, according to adoptee rights organizations.
Additional Account
A different individual, preferring to remain unnamed for fear of attracting the attention of government officials, was adopted by an American couple from the Middle East in 1973 when she was just a toddler.
"I settled into my life, consistently believing that I was a US national. That was what I learned. I still believe that today," she states.
Historical Context
Over many years, international adoptions approved by legal systems did not assure US citizenship.
The Children's Citizenship Law of 2000 created progress in rectifying this, granting automatic citizenship to children adopted from abroad.
Current Fears
These concerns for adopted individuals and their families have risen even further since shifts in administration.
Adoptee rights groups say they have been flooded with requests for help and certain individuals have disappeared from public view.
"When the election results were announced, it began increasing significantly with requests for help," said a legal professional working with adoptee cases.
Stateless Feeling
"Ultimately, they don't care about your personal history. They're not interested that you're legally here and it's just a paperwork error," she expressed.
"I frequently explain that one document of paper has essentially just ruined my life," she stated.
"From my perspective currently, I feel stateless."
Potential Solution
Despite adoptees being left in limbo for decades, legal experts believe it is just a case of legislative action that should unite people from all political parties.
"It should be an uncomplicated solution: children through adoption should be equal to their natural brothers and sisters of guardians who were American nationals at the time of birth," said a legal advocate.
Final Plea
Shirley wishes she could meet with national leaders into a room, so she and similar individuals could explain their stories.
"I would request to show understanding. We're not illegal aliens," she said.
"We were placed on planes as little itty-bitty babies. Just please hear our accounts and please follow through with the promise that America gave each one of the children that got on those planes: American citizenship."
